Satsangs

Satsang is a compound Sanskrit word that means “keeping the company of the Self.” The Self, Awareness, is the true nature of everyone and one keeps company with it by continually meditating on it in many ways. One of the most effective methods involves discussing non-dual teachings with someone who has realized his or her identity as the Self, to get clarity with reference to Self inquiry. The satsangs posted here are the questions of many people around the world who are interested in enlightenment and find that Vedanta is their preferred means of Self knowledge. Since I am a teacher of Vedanta, a time tested means of self inquiry, I am qualified to reply to these questions.~James Swartz

It seems that discrimination seems to automatically allow this jiva to accept its karma, innate vasanas, conditionings, and so forth as the will of Isvara. The more I discriminate, watch my thoughts, feelings, silence, in the subtle body the more peaceful I become. It’s almost funny because it seems as though everything is playing out exactly as it must. This email message to you, the people I encounter daily, the types of people I can easily associate with, the other people I can’t associate with and understand, and my svadharma seems quite natural. Before, I thought there was something wrong with me, that I should be doing something else in life, that I have to “break out” of my svadharma and fit in with the rest of the people, and do something totally unrelated to my conditioning. Though there is nothing wrong with that because that’s obviously the will of Isvara trying to bore me to tears and alienate me to the point where I had to seek out the truth through an impersonal objective guide to understanding what this life is all, about which led me to your and James’ Vedanta teachings; it almost seems to be planned, that everything is just given... and comes/goes appropriately by the will of God. The people whom I share similar vasanas with simply appear in my life, which usually share one of more of the characteristics of being the laid-back, introverted/spiritual/intellectual/musician/left-wing types. But for the most part, realization naturally puts one in the right place, according to the qualifications of the teachings and also the three yogas. There’s nothing to do except watch! LOL!

Sundari: You have it all worked out, Mathew, nothing much to add! You made me laugh with your comment about Isvara attempting to bore us to death – how very true! I do believe that is exactly what most samsaris die of – boredom. The sheer mindless pressure of the repetitiveness and predictability of how the gunas play out makes one no more than a puppet on a string, believing vainly and in vain that one has “free” will. LOL indeed.

However, a trap to avoid is the downside of sattva. Sattva can become such a strong like that one becomes cynical and judgmental of everything else – resulting in strong dislikes – more vasanas. There is a kind of sattvic arrogance that does not help at all. It makes it difficult to compassionately and patiently go with the flow – to see everything in one’s environment as the self, playing out in self-ignorance. In fact sattvic arrogance can become a real hindrance to moksa. This is a common problem with self-realised people. One becomes over sensitive to and overly critical of everything: noise, people, pollution, crime, etc. It does not bode well for self-inquiry unless one has the eye of compassionate non-duality. Accommodation is a very important qualification for moksa.

It does not sound like you have that problem and you are simply enjoying being free of Mathew, observing the passing show. Well done to you, you hit the nail on the head.

~ Much love, Sundari

Contacting Shining World

For years I have happily and diligently responded to communications on the topic of Self realization. Since the publication of my book, “How to Attain Enlightenment”— currently in its third printing —and the success of this website, the volume of emails has increased considerably. Unfortunately, owing to a busy schedule of teaching and writing, I am no longer able to answer all the emails I receive in a timely fashion. However, my wife, who is also a teacher, and several well-qualified teachers we have endorsed are available to answer emails on my behalf. I encourage you to send them your questions.
— James SwartzContact Us